Emily Odwin shines at 2024 Women’s Amateur Latin America in Lima

Currently Barbadian golfer Emily Odwin is creating awareness in the 2024 Women’s Amateur Latin America (WALA) Golf Tournament in Lima, Peru. Competing in the last two rounds, she occupies the second line in the overall standing and has scored three under par.

She is just a stroke behind Mexico’s Clarisa Temelo, who has been leading at the event with seven under par.

Even Odwin was satisfied with her performance the following day admitted she played better than her opening rounds. The 72-holes event that was played in Lima Golf Club, is one of the most important amateur women golf competition circuits in Latin America.

The event has invited 60 of the world’s superior players, using the WAGR as a benchmark to pick its participants.

Last year was the first time that the tournament was held in Peru, after the event had taken place in Argentina thrice. Lima Golf Club on the occasion of its anniversary, is more than 100 years old and gives a historical and beautiful backdrop to this event.

Instead of only highlighting talents, the tournament carries considerable incentives for it’s participants. The winner will then secure five-year exemptions to three major championships in 2025, AIG Women’s Open in Wales, Chevron Championship in the U.S, and Amundi Evian Championship in France.

As part of the R&A and the ANNIKA Foundation, the WALA Championship contributes to the women’s golf development in Latin America. Ten times major champion and the ambassador of the tournament Annika Sörenstam said, ‘‘It is crucial to provide opportunities for youngsters to play on a worldwide level.”

Among the stiff contenders are the previous winners Valery Plata from Colombia (2021) and Valentina Rossi from Argentina (2022). With only the final rounds still to be played, all attention turns to the Barbadian golfer, to see if she will be able to win the Tournament and at least level the scores in this round.

The WALA tournament is more than a game. This is one cause to dance talent, culture and opportunity. For Odwin, this is a chance to showcase her skills and compete for a place among the best in women’s golf.